He argued that Republicans’ message about financial responsibility could resonate with a lot of people, but unfortunately it is a cover for their belief that women and minorities are “parasites.”

Modern Republicans “have so much of their own collective identity wrapped up in the belief that they’re surrounded by free-loading, job-averse parasites who not only want to smoke weed and have recreational abortions all day long, but want hardworking white Christians like them to pay the tab,” Taibbi wrote. “Their whole belief system…is inherently insulting to everyone outside the tent – and you can’t win votes when you’re calling people lazy, stoned moochers.”

Some comments by Romney may have played a role. Romney told donors in a video leaked before the election that 47 percent of Americans “are dependent upon government,” “believe that they are victims,” and “believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it.”